Second Baptist School Apple Distinguished School 2019 - 2022

VISIT THE SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE

Location Houston, Texas

Introduction Established in 1946, Second Baptist School (SBS) is nestled in the wooded Memorial area of Houston, Texas. SBS is a learning community to over 1,000 students (PK4-12) who enjoy a breadth of opportunities - from customized learning experiences to travel exposure to technological advancement. SBS graduates are equipped with the character, confidence and capability needed to succeed in the world.

Overview By the Numbers • 750 MacBook Air laptops • 25 iMac desktops • 400 iPad devices • 70 Apple TVs

1:1 History and Overview In 2009, SBS had the vision to become a 1:1 school. With the hiring of two techies, SBS distributed the first 172 laptops to faculty and staff in the spring of 2010. By August 2011, every student in grades 5-12 received a MacBook and classrooms in early childhood through fourth grade classrooms received iPads. As our plans and needs have changed, we’ve had the flexibility to adjust our program.

Pre-kindergarten - Bridge: Classrooms have four iPad devices available in each classroom for learning centers, reading comprehension activities and project collaboration Kindergarten - Grade 4: Students have an assigned iPad kept in their teachers’ classrooms. iPads are refreshed approximately every four years.

Grade 5 - Students are issued an SBS iPad that they are able to take home.

Grades 6- 12: Beginning in grade 6, students are issued their first SBS laptop (Macbook Air). Laptops are on a three-year lease cycle.

Faculty/Staff: Teachers and grade-level administrators are given a laptop, desktop and/or iPad.

C HAPTER 1

Vision MISSION The mission of Second Baptist School is to train students in areas of knowledge that will allow them to understand clearly, to think deeply, to judge wisely, and to have the courage to live their lives on the great principles and convictions of biblical truth as they engage an innovative and digitally-based global community.

HONOR CODE As a member of the Second Baptist School community, I will not lie, cheat or steal; I will do my best to exemplify Christlike integrity in my academic and personal endeavors and encourage others to act accordingly.

PASSION STATEMENT Our passion is to bring every student into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while equipping them to do with excellence that which God has called them to do.

Top-Down Global Vision Our head of school and executive team meet weekly to discuss the continued progress and achievements occurring every day at SBS. Here, executive members share their vision and goals for technology at SBS. Ideas like parent technology training courses and laptop shell cases have resulted from these meetings. Most recently, a technology component was added to each teacher’s yearly evaluation document to reinforce the importance of technology integration.

Shared Leadership While the action takes place in the classroom, our school leaders are busy working behind the scenes to ensure SBS is on the lookout for new and creative ways to bring technology to our students. The administrative team, technology team and staff make up the shared leadership.

Technology Department Vision The Technology Department supports the mission of the school in assisting our faculty, staff and students “to engage an innovative and digitally-based global community.� Their goal is to provide positive and encouraging customer service to students and faculty, ensuring that their devices are working properly while also maintaining an up-to-date, reliable and secure technology environment. They engage with faculty and students in modeling, supporting and promoting the use of technology.

Academic Technology Over the last two years, SBS has worked to improve and increase our technology offerings for students in middle and upper school. Starting in the 2017-2018 school year, Coding & Robotics and Digital Technology were added to the middle school course list, with 13 students enrolling between the two courses. During the 2018-2019 school year, the middle school added Business Technology to the existing course offerings and enrollment grew to 64 students. The success of the middle school technology courses have paved the way for new technology courses in upper school, including Computer Science & Engineering and AP Computer Science Principles.

These courses have given our students opportunities to work with technologies like drones, Spheros and snap circuits.

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Parent Trainings

Sustainability

To ensure the school community plays a part in the long-term sustainability and success of our technology vision and goals, we provide strategic meetings with parents throughout the year. At the start of each school year, parents are given the opportunity to learn about Blackbaud, our learning management system. We also offer an internet safety meeting that offers practical ideas, tools and strategies for parenting kids in their use of technology. Our goal is for parents to be informed and armed with the necessary tools to foster student learning, growth and creativity.

• SBS Macbook laptops are on a three year lease cycle with Apple, giving us flexibility and control for potential changes in our program.

Friends of Technology and Communications With technology and communications so closely linked, the directors of technology and communications partnered with the parents association members to form the Friends of Technology and Communications group. This group of 6-10 parents meets quarterly to share what’s happening within each department as well as discuss and plan for upcoming events and communications. Having parent involvement and input has been monumental in the buy-in, growth and continued success of technology at SBS. The 2019-2020 school year will mark the seventh year of this group meeting.

• Second Fund is one of our “Big 3” fundraising efforts each year that raises money for technology, arts, athletics and professional development. Money from this fund has been used to send teachers to technology conferences for professional development, as well as for purchasing new technology for our classrooms and updating our iPads every 3-4 years.

• Interviewees meet with one of our technology specialists during the interview process to ensure the candidate can meet the school’s standards of technology use.

• With the expansion of our technology classes throughout the school, we are laying the groundwork for cross-curricular STEM foundations to be set.

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C HAPTER 2

Learning

Lower School Examples Coding in the lower school technology classes has been extended to reach our youngest learners. Teaching a programming language at a younger age has provided more opportunities for our older students to begin taking their knowledge to the next level. Pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade students begin learning the basics of programming through the use of the Code-a-Pillar, Cubetto and OSMO which paves the way for second grade students to begin using the WeDo robotics kits. These kits allow students to build LEGO models featuring working motors and sensors, program their models and explore a series of cross-curricular, theme-based activities. This has helped lay the groundwork for extended knowledge once students begin more advanced coding using Swift, Sphero, and Scratch in middle school.

In lower school, students use their iPad device to complete everyday activities as well as creative projects previously created using pencil and paper.

“At the end of the year I had my students reflect on their second grade year by recording their favorite part, their strengths and where they need to grow for next year. The students jotted down some ideas prior to recording their video then recorded, Student Reflection uploaded and created a QR code. During parent conferences I started by sharing their video with parents. It was neat to see students verbalize their second grade year and thank their parents.�

-Brittany Kasischke, 2nd Grade Teacher

Middle School Examples

A student reviews her math concepts by verbally explaining how she found the answer using Pages and Seesaw.

Students in middle school created an iBook to show their creativeness within the science classroom. Instead of filling in blanks or copying what the teacher wrote, the students in eighth grade Integrated Physics and Chemistry course created their own energy notes in the form of an iBook. Utilizing iBook Author, students were required to read a chapter on energy from the course, anchor text and rewrite their own version using original language. Furthermore, each student 7

Student example of energy iBook

and share their work. These discussions help students develop healthy and professional communication skills. Students followed a discussion protocol to practice giving appropriate and effective critiques to their classmates.

Student Photoshop examples

chose, or created, images to accompany the principles explained in their iBook.

Middle school students in the Digital Technology class learn Adobe Photoshop and other relevant design skills. Students are taught how to use Photoshop tools, digital design, color theory and marketing concepts to create original pieces of digital art. Once students gain satisfactory skills using Photoshop tools, students are given design challenges to create digital art applicable to the real world. Students are given specific criteria and objectives as if they are creating a digital design for a customer. Students engaged in weekly “design critique� discussions using AppleTV to broadcast

During Black History month, students examined existing mural art and studied the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students were assigned to create an original mural honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King Jr. based on their research.

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Business Technology was a new class added in the 2018-19 school year. This course was created in an effort to teach students skills in basic finance, calculations and spreadsheets using Numbers, basic accounting and more! Students used their Macbook devices to keep spreadsheets on a daily warm up activity along with FreeRice.com to learn basic spreadsheet calculations. Students also used spreadsheets to track stock market information for a stock market contest project.

In groups, students were given a project to create their own unique product or service including a business plan, marketing plan, business pitch and commercial using iMovie. Students researched existing competition in the area, identified customer needs and developed their product and marketing plan accordingly. Upon conclusion of the project, students presented their business pitch and commercial to their classmates over AppleTV.

Student example using Numbers

A student’s business commercial created in iMovie

Students learned spreadsheet concepts and calculations using Numbers to calculate and graph the ratio of pets among their classmates.

Students in Coding and Robotics classes learned basic programming concepts using Swift Playgrounds on their iPad to complete programming challenges as well as program drones and EV3 robots. Once students gained the skills to 9

program the devices, students were given design thinking challenges to create a robot or program the drone to solve real world problems. Students use Numbers to record and chart important data relevant to their challenge.

faculty and SBS staff. We hope to build on our success and include projects from the new upper school technology courses, as well as lower school student projects next year.

Middle School Technology Showcase

A fifth grade student demonstrates basic code in Swift Playgrounds to control a drone.

At the conclusion of this past school year, SBS launched the Middle School Technology Showcase. The goal of this showcase was to provide an opportunity for students to share their favorite project with the SBS community. Students created tri-fold posters highlighting their design thinking process, which provided visitors with detailed information on the student’s project, from inception to conclusion. The showcase was open to other middle school classes, parents, 10

Upper School Examples The upper school math department fully implemented use of the Explain Everything app to provide dynamic learning experiences for students. Math instructors not only created fun and dynamic lessons within the Explain Everything app, but they also recorded the lesson through the iPad and posted it to their class webpage. The Journalism and Yearbook classes implemented using the AppleTV this year for collaborative review of content, as well as formal critiques of their photography.

photographs. They don’t have to worry about leaving their spot or plugging in with a cumbersome projector cord. I think the Apple TV gives our student confidence to present material- it eliminates the need to move in front of the classroom and easily display work to myself and peers.

- Kay Day, Visual Arts Teacher World Leaders Project in Upper School History

“Apple TV is invaluable in both my journalism (yearbook) course and art courses. The students can broadcast work to the rest of the class and get feedback immediately. I use Apple TV as a critique tool and as another method for instruction led demonstrations for Photoshop and our online publishing module for the school yearbook.

Our students love being able to simply connect with a click of a button and receive feedback on journalistic writing, design and

Through the creation of a digital poster, upper school students showcased what they learned by presenting information on where a historical figure lived. Students presented their posters dressed as the chosen historical figure to convince their classmates which country was the best to visit.

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C HAPTER 3

Teaching “Technology in my upper school English classes facilitates critical thinking beyond class walls and time schedules, allows creative interaction with texts and provides continuity in vocabulary instruction. Our WordPress blog allows students to respond to a text related post and to each other after initial readings and class discussions have taken place. Responding to the text and to one another extends both student learning and perspectives. Technology tools such as Padlet and Sutori allow student thought and creativity to remain at the heart of instruction. Vocabulary.com provides students with consistent vocabulary instruction that challenges them at their own levels and provides real world examples in a variety of contexts. Apple TV provides daily interaction with worldwide resources in real time. SBS provides students and teachers with a myriad of opportunities to learn new technology and to integrate technology into their instruction.”

- Nancy Wahl

Classroom Instruction Teachers at Second Baptist School are committed to using the latest tools available in order to spark the love of learning within each student. For example, kindergarten teacher, Mary Paige Harris, used OSMO to teach her students spelling and math through the use of interactive tiles. In middle school, art teacher Sarah McKeon, used Google Tour Builder as well as a Wix site in order to show her students the places that inspired Van Gogh’s famous paintings. In upper school, the use of Merge Cubes allowed the inner workings of the heart to come alive in the palm of a student’s hand.

Curriculum Design • Faculty are evaluated on their technology integration within their daily lessons.

• Content departments meet regularly to ensure curriculum alignment school-wide.

• Required and elective courses are re-evaluated each year to maintain relevancy, excellence and innovation across all grade levels.

Professional Development Second Baptist School teachers are required to complete ten or more hours of professional development a year. Our teachers are encouraged to attend activities that are research-based, relevant, innovative and include instructional practices that are proven to affect student performance.

C HAPTER 4

Environment The SBS Technology Team and Academic Team work closely to monitor and assess the technological needs of everyone on campus. We are currently working to increase our network to 10 GB to provide more reliability. Over 130 wireless access points can be located across campus to ensure a solid connection. We have also installed multiple firewalls to trap the Apple TV broadcast traffic within the appropriate buildings.

Apple School Manager combined with JAMF allows for iPad deployment to be an out-of-the-box experience for users.

Two in-house Apple Certified Technicians, combined with Apple Care on all Macbook and iPad devices allow for minimal down-time while diagnosing and repairing faculty and student devices.

Our third through fifth grade classrooms use Apple Classroom along with the iPad devices. Over 50% of our classroom teachers use an Apple TV to easily switch displays and allow for student interaction.

High resolution displays are mounted in each school office displaying upcoming events and photos of student achievements and events. In the summer of 2019, static and interactive displays will be installed in our gym areas.

Our communications team utilizes the photo and video sharing platform, SmugMug, to store and share the many events and activities across campus.

Since 2017, our third and fourth grade students have had the opportunity to be a part of the Tech Squad. In order to become a member of the squad, students must fill out an application, which includes a student interest survey, a short essay, teacher recommendation and parent signature. These young leaders meet with the technology staff every few weeks.

Tech Squad opportunities include: • Assisting their teacher and classmates with basic troubleshooting • Testing out new technology products and apps • Leading instruction in technology for younger lower school students • Visiting middle and upper school technology courses to learn about the opportunities that await them

“Stefania's experience with Tech Squad has not only helped her to find ingenious ways to work more efficiently with technology but has boosted her self-confidence as a student. Her mother and I see how excited she gets whenever she speaks about Tech Squad and the bond she has built with her classmates and her instructors, who she looks up to. Tech Squad has offered my tech-savvy daughter an outlet to be herself.”

- Stephen Simmons, 3rd grade parent

“I really enjoyed Tech Squad because I learned a lot about ways I can serve God with my talents and passions and things I will use later on in school. I can spend my time learning and experimenting with friends. I really enjoyed Tech Squad and I hope in middle school I can grow my passion and knowledge in technology even more.”

- Caroline, 4th grade student

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Tech Squad students teaching younger students in technology class.

Tech Squad students had the opportunity to become “visiting teachers,� teaching a lesson to first grade students in their lower school technology classes. Tech Squad members shared their knowledge and experiences with technology with first grade students, providing support and encouragement through the lesson. This unique opportunity allowed Tech Squad members to increase their confidence, as well as inspire the next generation of Tech Squad members!

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C HAPTER 5

Results

• The Class of 2018 received more than $7.7 million in university scholarships.

• 80 upper school students were inducted into the National Honor Society.

• 100% of full time faculty are Apple Teachers.

In our eighth year of intentionally engaging faculty, staff and students with technology, we continue to be pleased with the results. Staff are able to complete their work more efficiently.

Faculty seek, experiment and implement new methods of learning into the classroom to spark interest and promote student engagement and critical thinking. Parents continue to support the fundraising efforts to keep and enhance the technology we have throughout the school.

Since 2017, the instructional technology specialists have worked one on one with every teacher to come up with a tech goal for the year. We use the SAMR model as a guide.

Teacher Progress Using SAMR Model

Measured Results • In 2018, 111 upper school students took AP exams and a total of 203 tests were taken.

• The collective pass rate for AP exams was 84.7%. This is 33.1% higher than the state average and 23.4% higher than the national average.

• 81% of the Class of 2019 maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

• Exceeding the national SAT average of 1080 and the state SAT average of 1027, the average SAT score for the SBS Class of 2018 was 1216. This is 21% above the national average and 28% above the state average.

In a two year span, our teacher’s use of technology increased to higher level orders of the SAMR model.

C HAPTER 6

Contribution & Credits

The school liaison and the following people are willing and able to address these areas.

1. Vision Mr. Blake Alderfer Technology Instruction Designer Email: balderfer@secondbaptistschool.org 2. Learning Mrs. Ellen Barrett Head of Middle School Email: ebarrett@secondbaptistschool.org 3. Teaching Mrs. Antoinette Latham Technology Integration Specialist Email: alatham@secondbaptistschool.org

The administration and a majority of the faculty possess the ability and are willing to articulate how they use Apple products in alignment with the five areas as it applies to our school’s technology innovation.

School Liaison Mrs. Hannah Claypoole Director of Technology Email:hclaypoole@secondbaptistschool.org

4. Environment Mr. Aaron Randolph Upper School Technology Email: arandolph@secondbaptistschool.org 5. Results Mrs. Evette Haberman Head of Lower School Email: ehaberman@secondbaptistschool.org